Cruise the Caribbean

In March Linc and I took our first Cruise.

We cruised the Western Caribbean.

It was a blast...

I had no idea how much fun a cruise would be!

Our cruise began in Tampa, Florida.

We spent two days at Sea and our first stop was Roatan, Honduras.

then overnight at Sea to Belize,

overnight at Sea to Costa Maya, Mexico,

overnight at Sea to Cozumel, Mexico.

Every stop was amazing!

The first few pictures are of us leaving Tampa.

 Every night when we came to our room the steward left us

 an animal made out of towels. 

I loved this surprise

and was always excited to see what we might find. 

We loved to gather in the evenings and sit somewhere to play cards, games and chat.

The couple sitting between Nokes and Spencers are from Idaho Falls and we met them at our hotel the night before departing.  We loved getting to know them and making new friends.

 The water in Honduras where we went to a beach party and did some of the most amazing snorkeling ever is as clear as a swimming pool.  We were told that the second biggest reef next to the Great Barrier reef runs along Honduras.  I believe it to be totally true.  We saw so many more amazing fish than we did in Hawaii.

 In Costa Maya we took an hour ride inland and say some amazing ruins at Chocceben. (I think I spelled this right)  When we first arrived at the sight, the first building we saw was an amazing structure/pyramid.  There were also a lot of smaller ruins that would have been the living quarters.  We also say many big hills with growth and vegetation.  We were told those hills are un excavated ruins.  This sight isn't even half excavated yet it had so many ruins to see.  After a short walk farther into the jungle we came upon this set of big steps in the hillside.  Our guide said to feel free to walk up them.  We had no idea what we would find at the top.

 What a shock when arriving at the top to see two of these sitting almost parallel to each other.

 I am amazed by the skill and thought of these ancient people.

 While in Belize we had to go ashore via a tender (smaller boat).  It was the only port we had to use a tender all the others we anchored at a pier.  I loved this shot of the cruise ships anchored just off the shore.

For one of the shore excursions Linc and Martell chose to ride a World Cup style sail boat.

They raced another one.  You were expected to assist the crew in sailing this boat.

 He had a fun time helping to raise rigging and all.

He loves to sail and loved the speed involved in this excursion.

Linc took this of the boat they were racing.  You can see how close they were to each other.

 The endless hallway....

 We also had a chocolate buffet one evening after dinner. 

WOW!!  So much chocolate.  The appearance of the buffet was a sight to behold.

It was HUGE!

We had a few bites of many many things.

 One of our favorite places while at sea was the back top deck.  We spent many hours laying out in the sun drinking Diet Pepsi and reading. (They did not offer Coke product on this particular cruise line)

This is where I believe I acquired the great tan I came home with.

Linc as you can see covered up and came home nearly as white as he left.

 It was a great vacation.  We enjoyed the many things we saw and the time with friends.  I realized I didn't take nealry enough pictures.  I had hoped to have more of the inside of the boat itself, the big huge lobby with a staircase that feels right out of Titanic.  The deck and pool area.  The big BBQ they had everyday at poolside.  It really was so much to take in this big floating hotel.

It also really brought an appreciation for our many blessings as many of these places we visited were really poverty stricken.  So many people live in conditions that are so minimal yet they have joy and happiness in their eyes.  We did see a few sets of missionaries and even an LDS chapel in Costa Maya.

Now we really want to go again and take our three children.